Quatuor Terpsycordes
1st Prize quartet 2001
Girolamo Bottiglieri, first vioin
Raya Raytcheva, second violin
Caroline Cohen-Adad, viola
François Grin, cello
Prism of musical repertoires, multiplicity of approach, kaleidoscope of personalities; these facets constitute the unique character of the Terpsycordes Quartet. The quartet is winner of many international competitions, including a 1st Prize in Geneva in 2001. The Terpsycordes assert their eclecticism both on stage and in the recording studio. Their recordings, all acclaimed by the specialized press, reflect a determination to go to the very heart of each piece they play, combining rigor and fantasy : Death and the Maiden by Schubert and Beethoven’s Opus 132, performed for the very first time on period instruments (Ricercar and Ambronay Editions), Schumann (Opus 41) and Haydn (Opus 33 and The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross), sharply in focus (Claves and Ricercar), not to mention contemporary works by the Swiss composer Gregorio Zanon (Claves).
The Terpsycordes Quartet, based in Geneva, was founded in 1997, and taught by Gabor Takács-Nagy, before being coached notably by members of the Budapest, Hagen, Lasalle or Mosaïques quartets. Drawing vitality from their contrasting origins (Italy, Bulgaria and Switzerland), its members offer dazzling performances to audiences of major concert seasons and festivals around the world. The muse Terpsichore is their constant inspiration – music’s daughter linking earth and spirit : Terre (earth), psy (spirit), cordes (strings).